[Rocks @ Robin's]

Sounds very interesting, we will definitely try to attend.

[Annoying things about Geocaching]

On the program called GSAK I include caches from Lesotho, Swaziland, Mozambique, Namibia, Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe in the default database.

 

This is where I am now. I have a total of 3862 caches not found by me. My problem right now is that I am surrounded and crowded by caches not available for a long time. It is most irritating to run queries and these unavailable and sick caches pop up every time and I have to filter this to get rid of them. Sometimes I run the wrong query and I then I have the lovely task to search for a cache that is not there since 2008, only to discover it later at home. This is when I turn into a Greek and start breaking plates. It does not put any smile on my face but that is my fault and “Daar is nie pille nie”.

 

To filter caches repeatedly, which are obviously not there, is a time wasting episode to say the least. I am busy with a cache a day and I update once a week. Then I have to run the macro Cache Cop to remove all the bad ones. Caches will be muggled, I accept that and it does happen to mine as well, but caches not available for longer than 6 months is serious. I am not even talking about the ones going for a year with more than 4 DNF's on it.

 

I run the macro called “Cache Cop” on the default database with the following criteria just to get a feel for the problem. Maybe this is only my perception that there is a problem so let us do the numbers and get all the facts – they do not lie.

1. Search the last 3 logs and

2. Select caches with recent “need maintenance logs” and

3. Select caches with an “Archived Request” and

4. Search caches disabled longer than 90 days not available and

5. Select caches with 3 DNF’s and

6. Cancel a DNF search with a found log.

 

Then I get the following results.

1. There are a total of 177 “available” caches that fulfil the above.

2. There are 88 of them which are marked as “Unavailable” and some of them have issues going back to 2008.

3. With children waypoints it adds to 232 waypoints to my database which is of zero value.

4. The results are not acceptable and the last GPX run date is 20/01/2011.

 

We now need to drill deeper. This is the worst ones but some of them is not close to me so I will turn a blind eye. But some of them are good examples.

 

GCVK5J – Last found on 30/11/2007. Disabled since 16/04/2010.

GCPJYZ - Last found 10/02/2008. Cache is disabled since 01/06/2010. (Owner will replace end of June 2010, nothing happened. He is in Scotland.)

GC1ME68 – Last found 19/05/2009, caches is disabled since 26/02/2010. (The log placed on 26/02/2010 states the following – “I checked the cache today. The cache was soaked due to heavy rains. It will be replaced soon!”) I can carry on with this list until the cows get home.

 

Unfortunately this is really irritating. Run the pocket queries once a week, filter out all the not so good ones, remove them, load my cell phone, load my GPS, load the other one and hope for the best. I am doing the following from next week.

 

1. I will contact each and every cache owner if there is a problem on his/her cache for more than 6 months. I will only do this on the caches close to me and which effects me. If a cache is in Cape Town it will not affect me so I have no say in that. I am focussing on the ones in a 300 km radius or in the area of any planned visits.

2. If the cache owner does not respond in 3 weeks than I will be replacing his cache and I will log a find on it. Only for caches with a problem of more than 6 months. I will turn a blind eye where it is clear that the owner is busy with some sort of action to resolve it.

 

For some cachers this is the ultimate sin but so be it. There is a policeman that will do back flips when he sees it and he will probably accuse me of cheating but this is one way to get rid of this irritation. I will do what is needed to get this done to get my database in shape. So from next week I will have a cache a day on all sick caches. This should boost my numbers considerable and should help to maintain a cache a day without too much of a search. If you see your cache being replaced with a micro in the form of a film canister please do not cry but take it on the chin.

 

Am I the only one that feels irritated or is it only me??? I hope to get some feedback. Right thing or wrong thing?

 

Gerhard

 

I fully agree that caches obviously not there and not being maintained is a great irritation. I just usually add these to my "Ignore list" and then in my pocket queries ignore them. Then I have a filter on "Caches not found at home" that ignores archived or temporary unavailable caches.... But still sometimes they slip past and you end up searching a while for something that isn't there only to later discover that it hasn't been there for a very long time[ ]

[power trail]

A question? What is the difference between this powertrail and driving from Pretoria to Bloem doing 120 caches in a weekend? Aren't it also just chasing down a powertrail of a different kind? Most South African's that I know is very competitive in nature and therefor having one more smiley face on a map pleases the mind, so powertrail's are most probably comming and I think that some cachers would only do these[].

[Milestones]

Congrats:

Wazat and Leon St on your 1000 finds.

 

Hope you both will have many more great finds!

[Are Micros in Remote places a bad idea?]

I fully aggree with this sentiment. I've done a few caches this December in very isolated areas in our beautiful country, the purpose of doing these was definitely not about what type of cache I found rather it was about visiting the area and wanting to experience the joy of some other Geocacher placing a cache in the desolate area for some reason. I've experienced some incredible caches, I think the view from Augrabies - Arrarat (GC11J35) must be one of the best views I've seen . I also agree with the Trackables for these type of caches, dip the trackable here and let it move to a more popular area. As a trackable owner I would love to see the pics of these caches, but I don't think I would want a TB of mine to be stuck in a cache for 9 months or so...

[Mega Event - South Africa]

Hi all,

Any place in the country would be great, as long as we know well in advance (and 1 to 2 years is definitely) where and when it would be. I think Madsons, and GerhardOos started a nice count down and if we all that do read the forums (even if it is only occasionally) start with the count down then we would quickly get an idea of how many actual persons might attend. I think it is a brilliant idea though!!! B and C Inc (2 active cachers and two children) now we only need 484 persons if at all possible we would really love to be part of it (arranging, attending, etc).

[Maintenance/Adoption of my Pretoria caches]

besem - I hope you have a great time in Grahamstown. There are some really good caches around there and I look forward to doing a few of yours next time I am there.

 

The trouble is, I've found all the caches in Grahamstown on a previous visit... I guess I'll have to transfer my energy from finding caches to placing them. I'm sure iPajero won't mind.

Ag nee man, just when I get to know cachers they move away:( Wurm sounds like a good new host, but if for any reason, my kids stay close by to almost all those caches and I could always assist...

Sterkte!!!!

[Croc Gorge Hike Event - Nelspruit]

Hi all,

This will be our first one, but it sounds like lots of fun. We both love hiking in the hills, the only problem might be my work and not being available during this time, but for now count us in.

 

Thanks RedGlobe for making us aware of this planned trip.

Greetings from

B and C Inc

[Milestones]

Madsons on your 500 finds , glad you're enjoying it.

[Great SA 2011 TB Race.]

I really think this pick should win the photo of the month award.... This was taken in Bloemfontein when the Gautengers invaded it and found more than a 100 of oom Louwtjies caches.....

[Great SA 2011 TB Race.]

Ok it took us while to get hold of the forum:), but at least we are in. I still have to discuss this with Corne, but we found a new TB in one of the recent caches, and was planning to let it start on its journey with the new caches that we are planning to release pretty soon. I think this race should be a more appropriate starting point so, we will most probably also enter one. Will hurry!!!

 

ps. Bruce I think your site looks great!!! A great attempt for a first time web-site!!!

Greetings Barry

[South African (Off-Topic) Quiz]

I always thought it meant Lion - but not sure of myself on this one if one thinks of Leeu Gamka?

I think you're correct in thinking it, I got this from Wikipedia ""Leeu" and "Gamka" both mean "Lion", in Afrikaans and ǀXam respectively".

 

So the town is infact "Leeu Leeu" or "Lion Lion"

[Milestones]

Congratulations to :-

 

B and C Inc - 250;

 

rodnjoan - 1100;

 

and

 

Team_Olo - 550 !

Thanks Worm, stats is not our target, seeing the brilliant places that we never knew exist, meeting new interesting people etc, etc has been a great ride I can only thank LeonSt for introducing us to this wonderfull hobby.